This week's apps include a budgeting app for iPhone you can sync with your Mac at home and a game that might be the best one yet.

I hope everyone had a great holiday! Coming back after the break has been a whirlwind for all of us at CNET. With the one-two punch of Macworld here in San Francisco and the simultaneous Consumer Electronics Show in Las Vegas, we've been working around the clock to bring you the latest news and announcements from both trade shows.

I was lucky enough to walk the show floor at Macworld and although it wasn't as exciting as previous years, there was still plenty of excitement. Some highlights include software launches, third-party hardware, and--of course--Mac, iPod, and iPhone accessories. Overall, Macworld was as crowded as ever with many vendors excited for the future of Apple, but some were wondering what the future will hold for the show now that the company will no longer be participating. I guess we'll have to wait until next year (the dates are already reserved for 2010), but it's a shame that the main reason for the show will no longer be in attendance.

I've added many apps to my iPhone over the past few weeks to pass the time during holiday travel, and--judging from many companies at Macworld--the new apps and games are going to keep on coming.

This week's apps include a budgeting application and a game so we can start the New Year off right by continuing to be responsible while we have fun in 2009!

Enter your transactions as you go to stay on budget.
(Credit: CBS Interactive)

Squirrel helps you stick to your New Year's resolution of managing your money by helping you keep track of all your transactions on your iPhone. Simply enter your current balance and stay on top of transactions by entering new data as it happens. Squirrel gives you complete flexibility for naming your transactions and categories. What's more, you can download Squirrel for your Mac so you can keep your finances in sync on your iPhone and at home.

Rolando ($9.99) was released during the holidays and may be one of the best games yet for the iPhone and iPod Touch. Featuring smooth cartoon graphics, jazzy music, and cute sound effects, this platformer challenges you to get your Rolandos safely to the exit of each level. Tilt your iPhone to get them rolling and utilize several touch-screen motions to guide your Rolandos past obstacles while you avoid baddies called Shadow Blocks. As you progress, you'll need to manage more Rolondos and use creative methods to get past sticky situations. Overall, Rolando is one of the most polished games I've seen on the iPhone and I recommend it highly for those looking for a great platform-type game.

What are your favorite apps? Does Squirrel have enough features for your budgeting needs? Got any good games for me to check out? Let me know in the comments!

Jason Parker has been at CNET for more than 13 years. He is the Senior Editor in charge iOS software and has become an expert reviewer of the software that runs on each new Apple device. He now spends most of his time covering Apple iOS releases and third-party apps.